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Magico S5 vs KEF Blade 2 vs TAD Evo One vs YG Kipod II Sig w/pwr bass

Opinions please. All are Used and are the same very good price but The Y&G are $4000 less which is nice.

KEF Blade 2

TAD Evolution One

Y&G Kipod II Signature w/Pwr Bass module

Magico S5


Would love your thoughts any thoughts on any please! Being all used and in good shape these are all within $500 of each other used price but Y&G and those had highest list but know to be good used deals because they are pretty serious speakers.

I think as far as used speakers in the great value - now less than 1/2 price but still new enough to provide great performance these are some different but pretty serious speakers. Please any and all feedback totally welcomed and is super helpful 

Source: Bricasti M1SE DAC 

Preamp: Parasound JC2 Pre

Amp: Pass Labs X350.5 Amp

IC: Darwin TRUTH Balanced

SC: HiDiamond D8 w/Furutech

PC: HiDiammond P3 (7)

AC: HiDiamond HDX2 

Transport: microRendu 1.4 and full suite of UpTone Audio Premium Power Supplies (2)x LPS-1 and (1) JS-2 LPS - (2) Regens - ISO and Amber and custom Canare DC cables for all / Tellarium Q Black Diamond USB cable and Curious Regen Link

Room is 12 x 23 w/Cathedral Ceilings - 15 Foot a peak 

Music: Assorted Music no metal or loud hard rock anymore really - not much Large Scale classical either but everything else.

Likes: Transparency- Delicate-linear-Dynamic-Fast - high resolution-microscope but not sterile not etched or lifeless - I know there is a fine Line here but I'm looking to walk it and come out on the right side - but real see through into the music - transparent to the source because I love my DAC - there more everything else sound more like my DAC the closer I'm getting to where I want to go as close as possible - image and sound stage lover - tight bass - hate flab - like speed and transparency as my selection choices might speak to

Coming from: Rethm Saadhana V3 speakers which I love and are incredible but want to try something else. 

Love any feedback about matching or equipment matching or one or multiple of these - what you heard at shows or whatever. Love more Info on these.









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audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,736 posts
 
Soix are you talking Pipedreams or the newer iteration which is the Scaeana Iso Linear Array. Huge difference between these systems.

The Scaeanas are amazing speakers but are $60k to $120k depending on version and yes I would take those over almost anything. They do big better than almost anything just fabulous speakers.   

Over the last ten years we have had the Kef Blades, the Scaean Iso Linear Array and the Polymer MKX-S in the shop and have had the Kharma Grand Exquites the $120k current version.

The Blades are awesome speakers for their price brand new, for $15-20k a pair used they are a steal.

Dave owner
Audio Doctor NJ
neoshah
33 posts
 
Hey! You have an incredible list & i've heard them all but in show conditions but anyway they will not do the sound you are looking for.
Of course hearing is believing.
The Speakers that come to my mind, as to what sound you are looking for is the Kaiser Chiara. Yes they are stand mounts but will work in your room. Give them a listen if possible.
All the best.
Cheers
ddriveman
171 posts
 
Hi fsmithjack,

Thanks for your reply.
OK, understand now that you're keeping the Saadhana's. Of all your tube/FET amps ( Triode lab 2A3 - Yamamoto  45 - Fi 300b - Audio Note 300b - First Watt J2, F2J, F5, Bakoon) which do you think mates best with the Rethm?
I'm a single driver fan myself and after many speakers ended up with Feastrex 9inch Field coils. And have many tube amps (various 300Bs, 2A3, 71A, U45AB and Fi 421A) plus First Watt F2J and SIT-2. Finally settle on a Berning 300B SET. Suggest you try NOS WE 300B ( 1950's or earlier) or Single Plate 2A3. Magical!
I too sometimes get the itch to try multiway, high powered Hi-End speakers. I get my fix when I go listen to the systems of my audio circle of friends (Wilsons, Magico, Focal etc). And after hours of listening fun, I go home and listen to my setup and the urge to change dissipates. While there is an attraction to those other hi-end systems, in the end, for my taste, it's SET and Wideband drivers. The only thing that I do find better that covers both ends of the spectrum i.e. natural and high dynamics, is a large 2-3 way horn e.g. replica WE555 drivers as made by GIP or Line Magnetic. But just don't have enough space in my room and the $$$.
If you do want to sell your Saadhana's though, please contact me up. 
fsmithjack's avatar
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fsmithjack OP
712 posts
 
I know - I'm worried no doubt. I've thought of horns for sure - it's the only speaker where my wife was like - really - are you serious - those are the stupidest looking things I've ever seen / shes not an Audiophile at all but supports me in the hobby or should say accepts it / she thinks I'm nut...lol / she loves music though / hates the Blades also :( / I just got serious with a dealer on these and wasn't having it / I mean I still could get them but it's the family room where everyone hangs most the time so I try not to be to unreasonable / she didn't really like the Rethm's either / she loves the Magico S5's / she said those are the best / the look like big regular speakers / get those / ever since she killed the Blades / the S5's are out front in the lead / I would have never thought I'd love a 700 wpc SS amp 4/ohm amp either but it my all time favorite amp. 
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fsmithjack OP
712 posts
 
Kaiser Chiara

What are those? Why do you think I would like better than Magico S5?

I mean I love my Rethms but I also open minded and have heard many speakers that sound great?

Curious and thanks for the input.

Thanks 
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